Five weeks remain in the Premier League season, which means chances are running out to improve our final positions in mini-leagues. Game-week 35, which will provide us with eight teams having a double-game week, will be the biggest opportunity to make a leap up the standings. Game-week 34, which begins on Friday is the only other that has any double-game teams.
Brighton and Cardiff are not the sexiest names in the league, but this week the assets of these teams will be receiving lots of attention. I’ve not gone for many of those players in the picks, despite the FPL community widely considering a Brighton double up at the back.
Game of Thrones returns this week friends. Just like week 35, it is highly anticipated, but week 34 is where you prepare and set make sure everything is in place so use those wildcards wisely. Let’s get on with the picks.
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Forwards
Jamie Vardy (£9.2, Leicester v. Newcastle)
The best advice I’ve given to you this season was seven weeks ago: Vardy had one goal in his previous five, but I said he would be the striker in the bottom half of the table to score the most goals over the final twelve weeks. He’s on pace to smash that prediction.
Glenn Murray (£6.3, Brighton v. Bournemouth, v. Cardiff)
I don’t think he will start both games, but double figures for a second season in a row make the veteran one to take a chance on with two fixtures.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.4, Everton at Fulham)
There were many contenders for the third striker role with Fernando Llorente, Chris Wood, and Romelu Lukaku all coming into my thoughts. In the end I decided to keep it simple and stick to choosing the striker who is about to face Fulham.
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Midfielders
Anthony Martial (£7.2, Manchester United v. West Ham United)
Did not start in the Champions League; with rotation for the second leg in Barcelona, he should be in the lineup against a West Ham team waiting for holidays.
Leroy Sane (£9.3, Manchester City at Crystal Palace)
Will be looking to get on the score sheet again following his goal against Cardiff last time out.
Victor Camarasa (£4.5, Cardiff at Burnley, at Brighton)
An unfamiliar name in the picks, this is what happens when you have a double game week. Five goals in the season make him a good option.
Lucas Moura (£6.7, Tottenham v. Huddersfield)
You sense a theme by now? I’m going all in on Champions League teams’ players who did not start in midweek.
Mo Salah (£13.2, Liverpool v. Chelsea)
He’s regaining form. I believe the manager will leave him in the team and he will finish the season strong.
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Defenders
Shane Duffy (£4.7, Brighton v. Bournemouth, v. Cardiff)
It’s amazing to me that he’s owned by fewer than 10% of managers in a double week with two home fixtures against teams in the lower half of the table.
Kieran Trippier (£6.0, Tottenham v. Huddersfield)
Mauricio Pochettino will have one eye on the return leg of the Champions League quarterfinal, so there is a small chance of rotation. Home to already relegated Huddersfield should be an easy days’ work for the Spurs defense.
James Tarkowski (£4.7, Burnley v. Cardiff)
The vision at Burnley must be to win this game and put further room between themselves and the opponents. A clean sheet will be crucial to achieving that.
Aymeric Laporte (£6.0, Manchester City at Crystal Palace)
Pep Guardiola is a mystery, Laporte is probably the safest bet to start so he’s in the team.
Bruno Ecuele Manga (£4.5, Cardiff at Burnley, at Brighton)
A Brighton double up at the back is the way a majority of managers are planning to go for the mini-double game-week. For those who want a differential this is not a bad way to go, both fixtures are away but Neil Warnock can get clean sheets out of his team.
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Goalkeepers
David de Gea (£5.7, Manchester United v. West Ham)
Just edged out Kasper Schmeichel here, West Ham look set to prepare for a summer break.
Mathew Ryan (£4.7, Brighton v. Bournemouth, v. Cardiff)
We do have a Brighton double up at the back after all: Ryan is a safe bet with the gloves this week. Chance for save points, if clean sheets don’t materialize.
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I have a strange feeling about Romelu Lukaku this week folks, he’s not in the picks but I can’t get him out of my thoughts. Do you feel any player is in line for a big score this week but you’re hesitant to pick him? Please talk about it in the comments.
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